McClintock v Morse Polls Spark District Controversy

With Election Day just one week away, the battle for California’s 4th Congressional district is as contentious as ever with Incumbent Republican Tom McClintock attempting to hold off rising Democratic challenger Jessica Morse.

After the California Globe release an article last week regarding some disagreement in polling numbers between the two fiercely competitive campaigns, supporters from both sides have loudly voiced their opinions arguing over who has the best shot at victory and more

The debacle started Thursday afternoon after Morse published a poll depicting herself only 4 points behind McClintock as they were measured at 49% to 45%. Then, just one day later, McClintock’s campaign office fired back with a poll of their own showing the Republican with a 19 point lead at 55% to 36%.

Despite the vast difference, independent pollsters have led us to believe the real numbers are somewhere in the middle. For example, Five Thirty Eight has proved to balance out each candidate’s placement at 46% to 53%. However, the controversy over polling just one of several issues being raised.

While the California Globe typically lists McClintock as “R-El Dorado” given the title accounts for a large portion of the 4^th congressional district, the young challenger’s supporters – sometimes referred to as “#TeamMorse” were steadfast to call out the Republican for not living within the district.

Following an investigating into the matter, we were indeed able to confirm that the 10 year veteran does not live within the lines of his own district. In fact, home for McClintock is in California’s 7^th congressional district, which makes up parts of Elk Grove and is governed by Democratic Congressman Ami Bera.

How well know this is isn’t exactly clear, however, it’s surely a bad look for the Republican. Despite this, the majority of his constituents have obviously not given much attention to the matter as he has been elected 5 times in a row since first running in 2008.

McClintock supporters would most likely down play this interesting facet, but it isn’t the only issue the Congressman has been taking flack for. Critics have also pointed out that the amount of women employed at McClintock’s office is significantly dwarfed by the amount working for Morse.

While there is no law pertaining to demographics or gender hiring within a congressional office, the California Globe was able to confirm that Morse’s team has at least 4 more women currently engaged with her team compared to McClintock’s 1 – not including his Washington office. Although it should be pointed out that the difference between full time and part time employees working on a campaign is often blurred as Morse’s crew is working campaign only opposed to McClintock’s full time government funded staff. It was also not commented on how many women compared to men Morse would be bringing on if she should win.

Despite the heat Morse supporters have put on McClintock, factions of his own have attacked back noting her failed attempt to appear on the November ballot as “national security consultant”.

According to the website of the 4th CD candidate, the former State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development budget analyst worked in the industry for over a decade and has what appears to be significant experience as a strategist, budget analysis and humanitarian expert. Despite this, sources close to McClintock claim she hasn’t worked full-time in the industry in over 3 years.

Her campaign site fails to detail what she has been doing since then, however the SacBee acknowledged that this is why her ballot designations have been constantly denied. “The designation system is unique to California and often used for political wrangling, as candidates hope to sway voters who may know little else about them. For Morse, who is challenging Republican Rep. Tom McClintock in the 4th District, the main problem is that she hasn’t worked full-time in international affairs since 2015. When her proposed ballot designations in the primary were denied, she decided to appear on the ballot without a description.

She was also denied “national security professional” and “businesswoman/security advisor.” Instead she is appearing on the ballot as “Candidate for Congress.”

Regardless of all topics mentioned, during the June primary McClintock captured 51% of the vote with Morse capturing 20%. Even if Morse’s poll is wrong and McClintock’s  is right, his campaign should worry about the tremendous gap she has closed.